External HDD redunduancy error in less than 3 weeks

[ibzee33]

Hello all,

I got a 1TB WD external HDD. Backed up everything on it, till I fix my computers. and the most important 2 folders I can't access anymore. I keep getting a redundancy error. and a suggestion to format.

Is it possible to fix it, and take out those file?

or, should I format it and attempt a data recovery and hope it works out?

Thanks

[brightspark]

Hey ibzee - Do not format the drive at this time.

Can you please tell us:
1) What operating system are you running?
2) What file system is the main (C) drive using (NTFS or FAT32)?
3) What file system is the external drive using (NTFS or FAT32)?

First off, I suggest you perform a 'chkdsk' operation on the external drive. Is it listed under 'My Computer'?

If yes: Right click on the entry for the external drive in 'My Computer' and select Properties. Now click on the Tools tab and then, under "Error-checking", click on the Check now button.

You should now be presented with two options:
1) Automatically fix file system errors.
2) Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors.

The first option (Automatically fix file system errors) should be enabled by default. If it isn't, enable it and leave the second option disabled for now. Then click on the Start button.

Once chkdsk has finished, reboot the computer and see if that has fixed problem. If not, then run chkdsk again, this time with the second option enabled.

Reboot and see if that has fixed the problem.

If the external drive is not showing up in 'My Computer' please do this: Go to 'Disk Management' and report back here exactly what details are being shown for the external drive in there.

To navigate to 'Disk Management': Click on Start, then right click 'My Computer' and select Manage. Now in the 'Computer Management' window, click on Disk Management (in the left hand panel).

Cheers....Jim

[Raymond]

I am not sure for Windows 7 but I never use chkdsk on Windows XP because it converts corrupted files into .chk files.
Try to "forcefully" copy out the files using Unstoppable Copier.
http://www.roadkil.net/program.php/P29/Unstoppable%20Copier

If that fail, try data recovery software such as Recuva or PC Inspector.
http://pcinspector.de/default.htm?language=1

I would advice you to try the 2 methods above first before running chkdsk because it won't change anything on the hard drive.